I know it is a silly question. I got two comments on my fic mentioning they enjoyed my writing, saying it is really good to read
.That made me really happy, but also intrigued, because I don’t know exactly what makes my writing so different that two different people commented on the same thing. So I wanted to ask you readers: what characteristics in a text do you like the most?
I usually don’t have this doubt—when the comments selling comics about my fic show up, they leave an email or already state their intentions after a long paragraph praising something in the story but the following comment left me unsure, I will take of the character's names:
"That moment when [...] lies alone in her trailer, holding [...] glasses and pretending they're him, saying "I can't pretend anymore that I don't like you. And I don't think I could handle finding out you can no longer pretend to like me" absolutely wrecked me. The way she's so afraid that their whole relationship is just acting, that he's just playing a role, and she's fallen for him for real. Meanwhile [...] is literally screaming her name across the set, begging to hear her voice, and they're both suffering alone because of this stupid immersion rule. If this were illustrated, I'd want that panel of [...] curled up in bed, tears streaming down her face, glasses resting on the pillow beside her like he's there but not really that image would say everything about the agony of loving someone and being too scared to know if they love you back."
I mean, it is a accurated description of a real scene, but the mention about illustration is kinda suspicious.
Opinions?
To combat the toxic mindset that only comments are signs that a fic is doing well, I ask for more experienced writers share here their experiences with feedback that wasn't comments.
EDIT: THIS IS NOT A ANTI COMMENT PROPAGAND.
I just mean, as a writer I can see other forms of appreciation even when the comments didn’t come.
As a reader, I feel I should never comment asking about updates, so as not to risk irritating the writer.
On the other hand, as a writer, if no one expresses any longing for my ongoing story, I think no one is eager for an update.
Drop your cents here writers
Since last year I've been writing a long fanfic for a fandom that's no longer very active, and to make the audience even more niche, the focus of this fic is a ship that isn't even the most popular (secondary characters in the canon).
And I think if I had received little attention from the beginning, maybe things would be calmer, but no. I received a lot of positive feedback that decreased over time until it reached zero comments. And so, I don't think the problem is the story; nobody is interacting with me, but the updates still get kudos and subscriptions. From the bottom of my heart I want to write and finish this story, but facing this wall of silence with each update is slowly breaking my spirit.
I want to find ways to solve the problem, but currently I've come to the conclusion that I need the words of another human being. It's a psychological block. So I thought, if it's to overcome my fear of publishing, I'll recycle the premise of this fic and fit it into another fandom, a more alive one of something I also enjoy. I know nothing makes someone comment on your work, but I don't know, I think putting my work in a more active place will give me some information about my writing.
Sorry for the rant.